Restaurant Review: China1 in BKC, Mumbai

Restaurants in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) are big by Mumbai standards, aren’t they? China1 in BKC is. That’s what strikes you as soon as you enter the restaurant. Located in the Capital building, the place was easy to find. And park too. For, they have valet parking, unlike a couple of restaurants in the vicinity.

Dim lights, plush décor, well spread tables give the place a classy look. We took a table almost at the far end corner. And were greeted by ‘shots’ of Cranberry Juice soon after. Extremely refreshing, this is the first time I saw any restaurant offer it complimentary.

We started off with Sweetcorn Crab Meat Soup – steaming and with a dash of pepper, it was perfect for our daughter who has been down with cough off late. And then we hopped on to dimsums – Chicken and Prawn Sui Mai, Black Bean Prawn roll and Chicken Pokchoy Dumpling – every one of them simply outdoing the other, we realized, we simply couldn’t point to the best one! Next, was turn of the Thai Chicken – juicy and spicy too, and with this lovely lemon grass flavor. Was perfect with the Litchi-Melon-Vodka cocktail and the Long Island that we had ordered. We, however, didn’t much like the Cambodian Basa in Pepper Garlic, probably because we aren’t Basa lovers at all. The fish has absolutely no taste and doesn’t lend to anything. Avoidable. Prawns instead, any day.

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After the gala Starters’ spread, we wanted to keep the Mains light. And so went for Lamb with Ginger and Spring Onion, Chicken Fried Rice and Veg Noodles. The lamb with ginger went just perfect with the noodles. The fried rice was spicy, cooked with burnt garlic and red chillies, giving it a very distinct flavor. I could probably eat it without any accompaniment. Really good.

For Desserts, it was Mango Pudding. Good enough, but not great. Beats me why Chinese restaurants don’t keep good traditional desserts? I hate to eat a cheesecake or ice cream after a good traditional Chinese meal…

So what if China1 is in the business district? Even on a Saturday, we found it filled to the brim with mixed croud – both corporate and non-corporate. There was this huge bunch of ladies, probably on a kitty party. The prices looked reasonable to me for the overall experience.